Running back who opened camp at sixth string will start Sunday against Broncos

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San Francisco 49ers’ Jeff Wilson Jr. (41) celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Thursday, August 30, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

SANTA CLARA — When Jeff Wilson Jr. debuted as the 49ers latest running back in this season’s injury-riddled cycle, Jeff Wilson Sr. was there in Tampa cheering on the son he weaned on football in the tiny, east Texas town of Elkhart.

After the younger Wilson produced 134 yards of offense last Sunday, he emotionally spoke about how this was the payoff from daily practices in the front yard with his father, himself a former east Texas star running back.

“It was awesome, because I used to always hear people in the community talk about how my dad used to run the ball,” Jeff Wilson Jr. said this week. “Even at a young age, when I came out of the womb, I had a football.

“My life has always been centered around that, and he’s always been a part of my life.
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson is tackled by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, left, as he rushes during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

It was like, ‘Football and my dad, football and my dad.’ That’s the relationship we built and just had fun with it. We bonded better off it, obviously.”

When Jeff Wilson Jr. finished up his all-state high school career, he headed to North Texas State over offers from New Mexico, New Mexico State and Sam Houston. He had choices. When his father headed to college, he went to play at the University of Texas-Arlington, until the program got disbanded.

“After that, he decided to come back home, start working and take care of his family,” said Jeff Wilson Jr., the sixth of seven siblings.

The 49ers are expected to start him Sunday against the Denver Broncos as Matt Breida sits with a lingering ankle injury. Other fallen 49ers rushers: Jerick McKinnon (knee) and Raheem Mostert (forearm).

Other 49ers running backs who saw more action or where ahead of him on the depth chart in training camp: Alfred Morris, Joe Williams and Jeremy McNichols.

Wilson, North Texas State’s fourth all-time leading rusher, figured he might get his shot sooner or later and really ramped up himself last month. As last Sunday’s featured back, he woke up the offense with an 11-yard run that ended with him plowing over a Seahawks safety.

“You always have to pick and choose your battles,” Wilson said. “I’m not going in there and run down the middle at people’s head. There’s times to do it and times you don’t. I’m more of an aggressive runner.”